Meghan Markle’s father Thomas talks regrets, babies, and Prince Harry in first post-royal wedding interview
Meghan Markle’s father Thomas Markle gives first post-royal wedding interview and talks regrets in not walking her down the aisle, grandchildren, and Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle temporarily stole the pre-royal wedding spotlight with the news that he would not be escorting his daughter Meghan Markle down the aisle to marry Prince Harry. Now the new Duchess of Sussex’s dad is opening up in his first interview since her wedding day. In his interview with Good Morning Britain, Thomas talked about his regrets and offered insights on what it’s like to be the father-in-law of royalty.
How Thomas Markle learned Meghan was dating Prince Harry
Meghan initially didn’t tell her father that she was dating Prince Harry, revealed Markle in his interview. Initially, Meghan told her father that she had a new boyfriend and that he was British. But finally, during their third conversation about the new man in Markle’s life, she told her father that her boyfriend was a prince.
During that third phone call to her dad about her new boyfriend, Meghan shared, “It’s Harry.” Thomas also revealed that she told him she referred to Prince Harry as “H” to protect the relationship until it became official by going public.
Markle’s dad admits he made mistakes
Markle’s father was criticized prior to the wedding when the news came out that photos showing him looking at pictures of Meghan and Prince Harry were staged. He confessed to Good Morning Britian hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid that the decision to agree to the fake photo shoot was a “mistake.”
Thomas also shared that he talked with both his daughter and Prince Harry and apologized for those photos. Meghan’s father described the couple was “very forgiving” and said that he had planned to participate in the wedding.
But the pre-wedding attention proved stressful for Thomas. He revealed that the paparazzi would “take photos of me grabbing a beer, take photos of me getting into my car… they’d take photos of me making me look negative.” Markle already suffered from a heart condition. The pressure of being in the spotlight led to several late-night emergency hospital visits, and he subsequently had a heart attack.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: ’She [Meghan] has wanted children for a long time' - Thomas Markle #GMB pic.twitter.com/XYg7O4P8gW
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) June 18, 2018
A “very proud” dad looks forward to grandkids
But despite his health problems, Thomas was able to view the wedding on TV. Markle described himself as feeling “very proud” as he observed his daughter walk down the aisle and tie the knot with Prince Harry.
As for his feelings now about the biggest day of his daughter’s life? “The unfortunate thing is I am now a footnote in one of the greatest moments in history rather than the Dad walking her down the aisle,” summed up Markle.
Thomas also discussed the possibility that he’ll be a grandfather to royal babies. Markle said that his 36-year-old daughter “has wanted children for a long time.” When Meghan met the 33-year-old prince, “she spoke about how much she loved him and so there has to be a child making somewhere soon.”
Ultimately, when it comes to how Markle feels about having a prince as a son-in-law, Thomas made it clear that he believes the prince is the real winner. Although he admitted it was a “wow” when he learned Meghan was dating Prince Harry, “this is my daughter and she’s certainly a prize for him as well.”
And in a touching proclamation, Markle described Prince Harry as “an interesting guy, a prince,” emphasizing, “But my daughter’s been a princess since the day she was born.” Aww!